Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-12-21

confesses, first being assured by
Tompkins that he will not give him
away. Iompkins retires to his den
aud thinks, aud thinks. Finally he
lets out whoop and he and Jack lay
their heads together. They have de-
cided. The point Of the joke will be
diverted and boomerang-llke recoil
upon the original perpetrator.
Police Magistrate Butler 10 discov
cred in his ofiice, poring over a volume
of"Hsydenlon Pleading" Tompkins
enters and recites his grievance TO His
Honor. He then divulges the plan Of
getting back at Dear. Is aided by
Butler and finally Chief King 10 let
into the scheme. A com mplaint is sup
posed to have been made by Tomp-
kins against Dear and Potter for get.
ting away with the cOat-petty lar
ceny. With rare judgement Tomp.
kins tells everyone he meets that his
plan of fixing these fellows Is to have
them arrested and make them pay q
fine. Chief King 10 apparently on
the'look out to serve Ithe warrant, al
ways appearing aud making inquiries
concerning Dear snf Potter In the
most unlikely places, but Dear and
Potter are kept informed aud patursl-
ly get little nervous.
II is nightfsll now and the usual
gathering before supper In "the
block" resolves itself into an indigna-
tioa meeting. or the assembled six
Judge Butler alone is cognizant Of the
true inwardness OF the affair. By no
word or action does be betrsy himself
and the numerous schemes I'D vaDced
by the Indignant assemblsge m way
In which to express their supreme
contempt for the fiat husseyn who
"can't take . joke" Butler not only
assented but made some timely sug.
gestions. Well did he play his part.
B ,ycotting was discussed but rejected.
Ostracising the genial Tommy and
Jack was finally SET aside by the adopt
ion Of the following scheme:
Potter was innocent Of any connec-
ton with the affair aud could easily
prove IL He was to demand first
trial, q jury and numerous witnesses
summoned and when the costs had
piled up rs much as possible, $40 or
s25 Mr.. Dear would be called, his evi.
dence clear Potter and the complain.
ing witness, Tompkins. would have
the costs of prosecution to pay. Desr
would then plead. guilty, without
standing trial and pay the amount,
seven or eight dollars, the boys chip.
ping In. All very pretty aud would
have been worked splendidly II there
had been any room for bringing such q
case to trial. The common law is that
criminal intent must be proven, which
in these circumstances was preposter.
Ous. There was but one member OF
the caucus learned in the law, how
ever, and the indignant few adjourn.
ed, comforting themselves by hugging
the delusion Of the scheme TO get
even.
A traitor was in the camp or an
eovesdropper in hearing. Tuesday
morning Me-. Tompkins opened to
their astonishment "A budget OF the
things that had been discussed in the
secret conclsve. How much be knew
or how little was matter mysterious
Parts of the conversation were repeat.
ed word for word aud each cast sus-
picious eyes upon the other.
The fun had continued for twenty
four hours aud 10 miny hal been let
into the secret there was danger Of a
tumble. In fact Dear's su spicion- had
been aroused and he was not 20 great.
ly surprised as relieved when inform
ed that the whole matter was hoax
All Is quiet on the Potomac, and
Tompkins has forgiven the fellow
who spoke of him M being gros,